Tag Archives: #awesome

Digital Printing, Displays, Packaging

DIGITAL PRINTING – Opening a World of Customized Options in Packaging.

We all know that computer technology has affected just about everything we do.  It’s hard to think of any facet of society that hasn’t been changed by computers and its tethered partner, the internet. This is certainly true in printing, where offset printing is increasingly giving way to the flexibility and convenience of digital printing.

Digital printing fits today’s multichannel marketing approach 

Businesses today can no longer depend on face-to-face customer interaction with their in-store product(s). Computers and smart phones have opened multiple channels.  These channels allow consumers to view products and make buying decisions with just one quick look.  The packaging and displays have to tell a story fast.

Increasingly, the first contact a buyer has with a product is online. This virtual contact is often quick, so it’s critical the right content is used to package the product in an attractive, attention-grabbing way. A business should strategize about which elements they want to stand out in the product’s online packaging. As important as the packaging is to a product’s brick-and-mortar location, it’s  important that the online images similarly package the product in an attractive way.

Digital printing allows for personalized packaging.

By leveraging the data already available on its customers, a business can use digital printing to their advantage by personalizing their packaging. Perhaps the business could promote a loyalty program and offer coupons as inserts in their packaging within a geographical area. If the campaign isn’t working, digital printing offers the flexibility to make campaign changes easily and quickly.

Digital printing allows you to match the packaging to the location.

Digital printing can personalize the packaging to best-fit the location where the product is being sold. For example, if the product is sold in traditional grab-and-go locations such as convenience stores or mall kiosks, digital printing allows the flexibility to package the product using bold, attention-grabbing design.

More detailed information in the packaging can be printed for those locations such as department stores where leisure shoppers may appreciate a closer examination of the packaging.

In summary, digital printing allows a business the flexibility to customize one packaging for online presentation and another packaging for buyers examining the product face-to-face in a store. This form of printing also allows for aligning the packaging to a geographic location.

Midwest Graphics is a leader in the direct digital printing and design  services for the packaging industry. While digital printing is relatively new, we have over a century of experience in printing and graphics. From conception to production, the Midwest team can help bring your product packaging and displays to life with the flexibility and cost-savings you want.

 

 

 

Displays

Three rules to follow when designing a SHOW-STOPPING POP DISPLAY

First impressions are powerful. 

Humans are somewhat fickle animals. Most of us have a tendency to quickly judge what we see as being attractive, mundane, or even repulsive.

We can’t help it!

Behavioral scientists tell us that we are subconsciously readily attracted to certain colors over others. And, that our minds process visual information instantly. This means there are subtle, but instant, emotions at play with shoppers as they walk down an aisle and spot a POP display that speaks to them.

For this reason, it’s important that companies design their POP displays with all the bells and whistles necessary to instantly engage, inform, and persuade their target consumer. While that requires some soul searching and creative finesse, our designers at Midwest Graphics can help. With years of experience in designing eye-catching POP displays, we have a pretty good understanding of what works and what doesn’t.

Here’s three basic rules to follow when designing a display:

1. The POP should stop them in their tracks!

 Any POP display must have a WOW factor that makes the busy shopper want to stop and look. It simply must have magnetic appeal. This is where the right signage and design will help set the display apart from the surrounding clutter while adding ambiance to the consumer’s shopping experience.

2. The POP can be LOW COST while ENGAGING.

Making your POP display unique doesn’t necessarily mean it has to be expensive. Midwest Graphics offers many material options at different price points for designing attractive displays. There are many ways to design a great POP at a reasonable cost that will result in a show-stopping, captivating display. As a B2B or B2C designer, we can help you develop a display that will catch your customers’ attention and increase sales while staying within your budget.

3. The POP must SHOUT an impactful story.

Any POP display must draw in the customer quickly. Using branding tenants such as your logo and the right color palette, you should display your product in such a way that it propels buyers to pick it up and examine it. While you may not always have control over where the POP display is placed by a retailer, strive for the gold location of aisle end caps. Impactful displays require smart graphics and copy that simply, but effectively, explain how the product will solve a problem or will satisfy a need of the buyer.

Midwest Graphics in-house designers have years of experience designing custom POP displays.  We handle everything from prototypes and mock-ups to production, assembly, packing and drop-shipments.

 

 

 

 

Packaging

Our eight tips for designing a great package!

At Midwest Graphics, we have our own design group dedicated to assisting our clients in the development of the perfect packaging for their products. With knowledge accumulated over many years in the printing business, these designers follow tried and true rules to achieve the best packaging to drive business and meet the client’s needs.

Simply put, great packaging design is the result of following certain guidelines.  We offer the following tips:

  1. Know your audience

You HAVE to know who you will be selling to, before any packaging design can take place. If your product is being sold primarily to teenagers, the design will probably be different from a product sold to men who are 55+ do-it-yourselfers.

  1. Zero in on benefits

While features of a product can be mentioned in the packaging design, it is the benefits that resonate with buyers. Highlight these prominently.

  1. Two ideas are better than one

The design options for packaging should include multiple choices. Show them to prospective buyers and get their opinion as to which is most appealing.

  1. Balance package design against the cost of your product

The last thing you want to do is overspend on packaging design relative to cost of the product. You should strive for a design that stands out, but the shape and size has to be easily displayed on shelves.

 5. Pay attention to what the competition is doing

Know what competitive products will be displayed alongside of your product. What is the shape and size of their packaging? You can then design your package to fit in, yet stand out.

  1. Pay attention to your other family of products

If the design is for a product that is part of an additional line of products, maintain a consistency in branding and color schemes and possibly even copy.

  1. Understand the shopper experience you desire

Do you want your customer to be able to touch your product, or is it going to be sealed? If a tactile experience is desired, a die cut window in the package may be appropriate.

  1. Realize your package is your billboard

Regardless of the size of the package, focus on strong selling copy mentioning features and benefits. Photos are also a great way to tell a story, build a brand and create a mood.

At Midwest Graphics, we have lots of ideas for designing that perfect packaging.

Digital Printing

The Advantages of Digital Printing

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Having been in business for almost 30 years, Midwest Graphics has seen the growth in popularity of digital printing. Before the advent of computers, the only printing done on a large scale was called offset printing. Still used extensively, offset printing involves a plate on which the material to be printed is engraved, which is transferred with ink onto a rubber blanket, then to the material on which it is printed.

Digital printing, on the other hand, skips the use of plates entirely, as the printing is done directly onto the material. While offset printing is known to produce higher quality than digital printing, it’s higher initial set-up costs require really large print runs for it to be the most cost-effective option.

That’s where digital printing comes in, and here are its advantages:

  • It’s a “greener” way to print

Since digital printing bypasses the need for the plates, chemicals and extra materials associated with offset printing, it is a more environmentally-friendly way to print.  You are printing directly onto the material.

  • It’s quick and efficient

Not having pre-press procedures or plates means the set-up time is less and you can get your printing done quicker

  • The costs and set-up fees can be less

Because there are no costs associated with creating plates, digital printing can save you money. As stated, this is especially true for small, multiple batch printing. However, with large print runs, offset printing is usually a better option for a lower overall cost per unit.

  • Customization is easy

Offset printing involves printing the plate’s content onto the printing material. As such, the content cannot be changed without changing the plates. Digital printing allows for customization of each print unit without too much hassle. For example, a name or word can be changed for each printing to personalize that piece.

  • Digital printing is accurate

Digital printing allows for easy “tweaking” of colors and their properties to get the exact tone desired.

Midwest Graphics uses the best equipment in the industry for digital printing. This includes three full 4×8 Flatbed printers, two digital control cut tables, roll lamination – both PSA and Thermal, Liquid UV Coating up to 60 inches wide. In short, our equipment allows us to handle nearly any type of project from start to finish.

Give us a call to discuss your next digital printing job.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Design, Packaging

The Secrets of Successful Packaging Design – it starts with a good Design Team

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When it comes to packaging a product, the design is critical.  After all, unless your package stands out with a unique color, size, or copy, it is going to struggle for recognition sitting on a crowded shelf along-side all those competitive products.

The smart businesses know that a great package design can help in selling the product. At Midwest Graphics, our clients appreciate the value our in-house design team brings to the table in assisting them in creating a great package design.

Recently, a national manufacturer of kitchen and bathroom products visited our plant.  They viewed our in-house design team (along with other factors like quick turn around and competitive costs) as a real asset in their decision to use our packaging services.

We know great packaging design is simply following some basic rules. We list some below:

  • Knowing your customer is key!

Who is your customer? All packaging design is geared to first understanding who you are marketing to.

  •  Remember, benefits are more important than features

Focus on the benefits, not the features. Customers want to know “what’s in it for me?” when making their buying decision.

  • Develop a couple prototypes of packaging designs

If you think one design is good, perhaps another idea is better. Set two or more prototypes side-by-side to compare.

  • Price points are important

If the product is priced inexpensive, don’t needlessly escalate costs with an over-priced packaging.

  • Take a look at what your competition is doing

Your packaging needs to stand out while displayed along-side competitive products on the shelf

  • Know your USP?

Identify your product’s unique selling proposition and find a way to communicate that message in your packaging.

  • Remember, brand consistency is important

If you have multiple products, maintain a consistent brand image in the packaging so all your products create similar visual affect.

  •  Decide how you want the customer to interact with your product

Do you want your customer to be able to touch your product? If so, either displaying one of the products outside of the package or a die cut window may be appropriate.

The design team at Midwest Graphics is ready to help you design packaging that will motivate customers to buy. From conceptualization to proofing, they can work with you every step of the way in development of all packaging materials for your company.